Friday, February 27, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today's my birthday, and I want to send a big thank you to everyone who has already left comments or sent me digital birthday cards. There are some cute cards out there! I figured I haven't shown a basic tutorial in a long time, so here's a great birthday coloring exercise. Someone asked me about this a while ago and now I'm finally showing a tutorial.

Coloring Transparent BalloonsIf this is the first time you've tried to layer really different colors I suggest you work with light colors or pastels. Today I'm using a pale blue, pink, and purple BV00/BV04, B21, and RV11. I quickly drew this bunch of balloons and photocopied it so I could

Begin with the front balloons. Transparent things collect color at the edges, so color darkest at the edge and feather into the middle. Do this for both front balloons. As you can see on the blue balloon, I am using the side of the super brush nib and stroking in towards the middle. This leaves the center almost white and the edges will bleed through on the backside.

Next, take your colorless blender and push the color back out from the middle of each balloon and let it gather at the edges. This heightens the effect of transparency. Want more transparent balloons? use more blender. You can let it dry and then push it again if it's still not light enough. On some cardstocks you need to be careful that you don't oversoak the paper or else it will start feathering. For darker balloons use less blender, or a darker color.

Now you can add the color to your back balloon. Start by coloring just the area not covered by the front balloons. I started with BV00, added BV04, and went back over it with BV00 to blend the colors better.

With the BV00, add a dab of color inside the other two balloons. Don't color all the way up to the dark edge, just feather the light color up to the edge. Add a tiny dab of BV04 to the extreme edge of the layered balloon. Add more BV00 to fade this in as well. The covered areas should NOT be as dark as the un-covered areas, and you still should see tones of the front balloons.

The lighter you make the layered areas in comparison to the un-layered areas will determine how transparent the front balloons are. If you want the front ballons to be pale but not very see-through, then add only tiny hints of purple. If you want the front balloons to be pale and very transparent then make the purple of hte back balloon closer to it's regular color.

Now, go back with your RV11 and B21 and darken up the front balloons in the same way you first colored them. Feather in from the edge towards the middle. It's OK to cover up the purple areas of the back balloon because it softens the dark purple and looks more like you're looking through the balloons. It looks pretty beleivable at this point. Again, if you want the front balloons to look less see-through then layer more of the original color and wash out the back color more.

For the final touch, I took Opaque White and added glints of light to the top to make the balloons appear shiny.

I hope each of you has a great weekend. I'm going to try and catch up on my e-mails and artwork that I am so far behind on. Eat something sweet- I know I will!

Marianne! I thought you were copying my last post or something because that is what I had on there! My birthday was thursday! I didn't know we are just a day apart, no wonder we get along so well! HAHA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LATE! I am just now getting on the net and blog hopping it was a major busy day! I scrapped until 1am just now and am going to an all day crop at 8:30am until midnight NEXT!

Oh sweetie, I sure hope your day was one that brought you great joy...I'm sorry I didn't get my birthday wishes to you earlier in the day...it's nearly 1:00 a.m. and am just now reading blogs for the day! Thanks for all you do to share your Copic wisdom with us.

Happy Birthday Marianne, and thanks for showing how to color the balloons. I was the one who asked you that, andyour tutorial was wonderful as usual. Now I just have to go practice it! Do you think you're ever going to be coming to central Arkansas to teach?

These tutorials are so helpful! I loved the post about the DUMB-V...very informational! Happy Birthday, too! I'm going to be at the certification class in Buffalo, NY in March and I don't know if you are teaching it, but I hope to see you there!

happy belated Birthday Marianne!You and my daughter share the same birthday. I hope you are feeling better.hope you had a fabulous day! We took her to dinner and to see Corraline.LatishaakaQueen Latisha by Marrianne LOL

About Me

I am the North American Product Director for Copic Markers, working at Imagination International, Inc. I have written 4 books on coloring with Copics in conjunction with Colleen Schaan. I used to design stamps for Our Craft Lounge. The things I post on this blog are my personal opinions or techniques I have come across over the years- I will try to give credit where credit is due. These ramblings do not necessarily reflect the general opinions of Copic Markers/Imagination International Inc.
my direct e-mail is marianne@copicmarker.com

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Copic Glossary

ABS/Airbrush System- Copic Airbrush System. Works with either a compressor or Copic aircans. Uses either Sketch or Copic Markers. 1234TroubleshootingAlcohol Markers- Copic markers are alcohol (ethanol) based dye markers, that are known for being low-odor and giving smooth, vibrant colors. Since they are a dye, they will fade in bright lights, but they are acid free on most surfaces. Anything with alcohol in it will react with these inks. Any Copic marker type is refillable with replaceable tips. They will not cause paper to pill when going over it many times, nor will they dissolve photocopies.

Color Saturation- This is the first digit on a color name. Colors that are 00's, 10's, or 20's will be more vibrant (B05, G16, R29), while colors that are in the 70's, 80's or 90's have more gray added (B95, BG78, G94) and are closer to the neutral/earthy end of the color spectrum. Note: E (Earth) markers don't necessarily follow this rule.

Color Group- A sequential group of colors within one color family with the same first digit (i.e. E30, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37, E39) where numbers ending in 0 are the lightest and 9 is the darkest, also called Natural Blending Group

Copic Certification- These are classes for teachers, store owners, or designers who want to learn techniques and advanced tips on using Copic markers, Airbrushing, etc. for papercrafting. Each class is about 7 hrs, and will be held regionally. Check here for listings of upcoming classes.

Spica Glitter Pens - also called atyou Spica pens. These fun, pigment based pens are filled with micro glass flakes, giving a very subtle, elegant sparkle. Keep stored flat, though if they are giving you troubles, try storing them point down overnite.

Various Ink- Also called Refill Ink or Re-inkers. Each bottle holds 25 cc's of ink. 322 colors available, empty bottle for mixing custom colors also available. Great for making alcohol ink effects, such as Faux Stone or covering large areas. When you see streaking in your work it's time to refill. You can refill directly from your bottle of ink, or you can use a booster needle. Try not to overfill.For refilling dry markers:Ciao- add 1 to 1.5 cc's ink Sketch- 2 cc's Copic 2-3 cc's Wide 3-4 cc's

Using this site for Classes

The content from each post is intended as tutorials and directions as well as useful information. If you would like to use these tutorials in a workshop you are more than welcome to, just give credit to this blog site and other suppliers mentioned in each post.

Thank You!

Marianne

Color Disclaimer

Colors on the screen do not match colors printed in color charts, and neither will match the marker colors in real life. To get a feel of what the colors will look like it's best if you get an actual color swatch.

To request a printed color chart, general catalog, Stamping with Copic Brochure, or Airbrushing with Copic Brochure you can e-mail orders@copicmarker.com (remember, printed charts aren't accurate)

Save a tree, get it digital!For digital copies of the above brochures please look through the Copic Library. Don't see what you need? e-mail me at marianne@copicmarker.com

Check the library also for refilling guides, airbrushing set-ups, and other useful literature.

Copic Fine Art Instructors

Click here to purchase your favorite Copic Products

Books by Marianne Walker

Shadows & Shading: A beginner's guide to lighting placementThis book is for teaching you where to accurately put shadows and highlights when coloring with any medium. Includes clear lighting guides to help you plan where to place your shadows & highlights. Distributed by Copic/Imagination International, Inc.

Copic Coloring GuideWritten by Colleen Schaan & Marianne Walker. This is a beginner book for those interested in papercrafting and learning basic techniques for using Copic Markers. Published by Annie's Attic/DRG

Copic Coloring Guide Level 2: NatureWritten by Colleen Schaan & Marianne Walker. This is is the second in the series. Learn techniques for coloring things in nature. For papercrafters. Published by Annie's Attic/DRG

Copic Coloring Guide Level 3: PeopleWritten by Colleen Schaan & Marianne Walker. This is is the third in the series. Learn techniques for coloring people, hair, and clothing. For papercrafters. Published by Annie's Publishing

Check your local store for these books, otherwise they are available at many popular online retailers.